EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern welcomes Morgan State to Welsh-Ryan Arena Wednesday at noon for the penultimate home game of 2011. The Wildcats (7-1) head to Las Vegas for the BTI Invitational hosted by UNLV this weekend before returning home to face Toledo on Dec. 27. NU has won its last three games, including a 72-67 victory at Loyola (Chicago) Saturday.

Wednesday also is Field Trip Day, so local middle school children will be in attendance. Additionally, each student will receive an activity book with various math and reading activities based on Northwestern and NU women's basketball facts. This year, students have the opportunity to compete in an essay contest with their classrooms. The winning classroom from elementary, middle and junior high divisions will have the opportunity to go in the Wildcats' locker room after the game to meet the team. Second- and third-place classrooms will have the opportunity for school visits.

All tickets for the game are just $1. For more information about field day, please contact Heather Van Hoegarden at h-hoegarden@northwestern.edu

Last Time Out...
Northwestern fought back from a 12-point first-half deficit and staved off a late Loyola attack to earn a 72-67 win at Gentile Arena Saturday afternoon. Kendall Hackney and Dannielle Diamant led the Wildcats offensively, tying a season-high and a career-high, respectively, with 20 points each. Freshman Morgan Jones added 16 points, five rebounds and five assists.

Wildcats In The RPI
The first edition of the RPI (Rating Percentage Index) came out this week, and Northwestern ranked 14th in the nation and was one of only two Big Ten squads to crack the Top-15. Penn State led the way with an RPI of 11.

High Five
According to the most recent NCAA statistics, (12.11.11), and freshman Karly Roser ranks seventh in the nation in assists per game (6.9). Roser is second in the Big Ten in that category.

Spreading The Love
Unlike seasons past when Northwestern's offense centered around one player, this year is shaping up to be one of a more democratic nature. Three of NU's starters are averaging double digits, led by junior Kendall Hackney with 15.1 ppg. Fellow classmate Dannielle Diamant and freshman Morgan Jones are tied for second, averaging 14.1 ppg. Karly Roser has contributed a pair of double-doubles as well as team-leading 21 steals.

May I Assist You?
A trademark of Joe McKeown's teams have been their ability to move the ball and rack up assists. This year is no different, as the Wildcats are second in the Big Ten, averaging 16.9 assists per outing. That number also ranks 25th in the nation according to the latest NCAA statistics (12.11.11).

Mocchi Stepping Up, Stepping In
Senior captain Allison Mocchi has stepped up big in the absence of Brittany Orban in the last two games. The guard has accepted a starting role and has turned in strong performances against Missouri and Loyola. Over the two games, Mocchi is averaging 7.0 ppg and 4.5 rpg. She is shooting 50 percent from the field and from three-point range and owns a team-high five steals.